All beginnings require that you unlock a new door.
- Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
***
The student inquires:
"Who makes my mind think?
Who fills my body with vitality?
Who causes my tongue to speak? Who is that
Invisible one who sees through my eyes
And hears through my ears?"
The teacher replies:
"The Self is the ear of the ear,
The eye of the eye, the mind of the mind,
The word of words, and the life of life.
Rising above the senses and the mind
And renouncing separate existence,
The wise realize the deathless Self."
-Kena Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985.
***
If God is your love and your purpose, the chief aim of your heart, it is all you need in this life...Such a blind shot with the sharp dart of longing will never miss its mark, which is God.
-The Cloud of Unknowing
***
Good humor and character is manifested in a cheerful face, generous giving, and not imposing one's problems on others.
-Hasan Al-Basri in Nurbakhsh: Hasan Basri, 174
From The Wisdom of Sufism, compiled by Leonard Lewisohn.
***
Quote
proff of god
---proff of god----
You run with the light of God
among His servants so that you
may illumine their hearts
and shine therein as His proof.
Our eyes have observed your
brilliance, but in fact
opinion has never understood
the essence of your reality.
I fear you with a reverence,
lest the sun forgets its rising,
just as your remembrance made
the angels forget their praise.
You are the Spirit because
your image is shaped from
the spiritual world of your Lord
and supported by knowledge.
I swear that if the world did
not call you a caliph,
they would certainly have
called you a second Messiah.
-----by--Ibn Hani Al-Andalusi .
You run with the light of God
among His servants so that you
may illumine their hearts
and shine therein as His proof.
Our eyes have observed your
brilliance, but in fact
opinion has never understood
the essence of your reality.
I fear you with a reverence,
lest the sun forgets its rising,
just as your remembrance made
the angels forget their praise.
You are the Spirit because
your image is shaped from
the spiritual world of your Lord
and supported by knowledge.
I swear that if the world did
not call you a caliph,
they would certainly have
called you a second Messiah.
-----by--Ibn Hani Al-Andalusi .
-
Guest
There are victories of the soul and spirit. Sometimes, even if you lose, you win.
-Elie Wiesel
***
O monks, even if you have insight that is pure and clear but you cling to it, fondle it and treasure it, depend on it and are attached to it, then you do not understand that the teaching is like a raft that carries you across the water to the farther shore but is then to be put down and not clung to.
-Majjhima Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000.
***
The believers must (eventually) win through--those who humble themselves in their prayers; who avoid vain talk; who are active in deeds of charity.
-Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun, Surah 23:1-4
***
The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible.
-Arthur C. Clarke
-Elie Wiesel
***
O monks, even if you have insight that is pure and clear but you cling to it, fondle it and treasure it, depend on it and are attached to it, then you do not understand that the teaching is like a raft that carries you across the water to the farther shore but is then to be put down and not clung to.
-Majjhima Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000.
***
The believers must (eventually) win through--those who humble themselves in their prayers; who avoid vain talk; who are active in deeds of charity.
-Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun, Surah 23:1-4
***
The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible.
-Arthur C. Clarke
For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, And a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
--Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, And a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
--Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
-
Guest
To please all is an impossible aim, and to escape some criticism is an unattainable goal.
- M. Ibn Ezra, "Shirat Yisrael"
***
Just as from a heap of flowers
many garland strands can be made,
even so
one born & mortal
should do
--with what's born & is mortal--
many a skillful thing.
-Dhammapada, 4, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
- M. Ibn Ezra, "Shirat Yisrael"
***
Just as from a heap of flowers
many garland strands can be made,
even so
one born & mortal
should do
--with what's born & is mortal--
many a skillful thing.
-Dhammapada, 4, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
"Judgment is ugly -- it hurts people. On the one hand you go on hurting them, wounding them, and on the other hand you want their love, their respect.It is impossible. Love them, respect them, and perhaps your love and respect may help them to change many of their weaknesses, many of their failures -- because love will give them new energy, a new meaning, a new strength."
Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.
-Bill Gates
***
Angels are men of a superior kind; Angels are men in a lighter habit clad.
- Edward Young,
"Night Thoughts"
***
Adversity and prosperity never cease to exist. The adornment
Of great men's minds is to remain unswervingly just under both.
-Tirukkural 12:115
Excerpted from the Tirukkural, translated by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.
***
Among all things that are lovable, there is one that is more lovable than the rest, and that most lovable of all things is life.
-St. Anthony of Padua
***
May all be free from sorrow,
and the causes of sorrow,
May all never be separated
from the sacred happiness
which is sorrowless.
-Buddhist prayer
***
Upon death everyone will be questioned by the angels in regard to their deeds on the earth, while their successors will be preoccupied with their mundane belongings.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Hurairah
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999
***
By the mercy of God Paradise has eight doors—
one of those is the door of repentance, child.
All the others are sometimes open, sometimes shut;
but the door of repentance is never closed.
Come seize the opportunity: the door is open;
carry your baggage there at once.
-Mathnawi [IV, 2506-2508]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996
-Bill Gates
***
Angels are men of a superior kind; Angels are men in a lighter habit clad.
- Edward Young,
"Night Thoughts"
***
Adversity and prosperity never cease to exist. The adornment
Of great men's minds is to remain unswervingly just under both.
-Tirukkural 12:115
Excerpted from the Tirukkural, translated by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.
***
Among all things that are lovable, there is one that is more lovable than the rest, and that most lovable of all things is life.
-St. Anthony of Padua
***
May all be free from sorrow,
and the causes of sorrow,
May all never be separated
from the sacred happiness
which is sorrowless.
-Buddhist prayer
***
Upon death everyone will be questioned by the angels in regard to their deeds on the earth, while their successors will be preoccupied with their mundane belongings.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Hurairah
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999
***
By the mercy of God Paradise has eight doors—
one of those is the door of repentance, child.
All the others are sometimes open, sometimes shut;
but the door of repentance is never closed.
Come seize the opportunity: the door is open;
carry your baggage there at once.
-Mathnawi [IV, 2506-2508]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996
We are not here to be successful. We are here to be faithful.
-Mother Teresa
***
The goal of the redemption is the redemption of truth.
- The Vilna Gaon
***
How much pleasure you take
In acquiring worldly goods!
But to find happiness
You must give them all up.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:2
From "The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita," by Thomas Byrom, 1990
***
There is no evil like hatred.
And no fortitude like patience.
-Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara"
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt
***
On the other hand, for those who fear their Lord, are Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath; therein are they to dwell (for ever), a gift from the presence of Allah. and that which is in the presence of Allah is the best (bliss) for the righteous.
-Qur'an, Al-Imran, Surah 3:198
-Mother Teresa
***
The goal of the redemption is the redemption of truth.
- The Vilna Gaon
***
How much pleasure you take
In acquiring worldly goods!
But to find happiness
You must give them all up.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:2
From "The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita," by Thomas Byrom, 1990
***
There is no evil like hatred.
And no fortitude like patience.
-Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara"
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt
***
On the other hand, for those who fear their Lord, are Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath; therein are they to dwell (for ever), a gift from the presence of Allah. and that which is in the presence of Allah is the best (bliss) for the righteous.
-Qur'an, Al-Imran, Surah 3:198
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
-Dalai Lama
***
Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures, as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret, and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.
-Swami Sivananda
***
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" is the most natural and most human and most agonizing prayer in the gospels, and I think it is the foundation prayer of faith.
-Flannery O'Connor
***
Faith is the basis of the path, the mother of virtue; it nourishes all roots of goodness.
-Wu-chien
From "Teachings of Zen", edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998.
***
Life without repentance is spiritual agony;
to be absent from God is immediate death.
Life and death both are sweet with God’s presence:
without God even the Water of Life is fire.
-Mathnawi [V, 770-771]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996.
-Dalai Lama
***
Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures, as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret, and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.
-Swami Sivananda
***
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" is the most natural and most human and most agonizing prayer in the gospels, and I think it is the foundation prayer of faith.
-Flannery O'Connor
***
Faith is the basis of the path, the mother of virtue; it nourishes all roots of goodness.
-Wu-chien
From "Teachings of Zen", edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998.
***
Life without repentance is spiritual agony;
to be absent from God is immediate death.
Life and death both are sweet with God’s presence:
without God even the Water of Life is fire.
-Mathnawi [V, 770-771]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996.
-
Guest
Love truth, but pardon error.
-Voltaire
***
If a Jew breaks a leg, he thanks God he did not break both legs; if he breaks both, he thanks God he did not break his neck.
- Yiddish proverb
***
The unitive state cannot be attained
Through words or thoughts or through the eye.
How can it be attained except through one
Who is established in this state himself?
-Katha Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1987.
***
Whatever is not yours, abandon it. When you have abandoned it, that will lead to your welfare and happinesss.
-Buddha, "Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
***
He who is given his share of kindness is given his share of good in this world and the hereafter.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by A'ishah bint Abi Bakr.
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999.
-Voltaire
***
If a Jew breaks a leg, he thanks God he did not break both legs; if he breaks both, he thanks God he did not break his neck.
- Yiddish proverb
***
The unitive state cannot be attained
Through words or thoughts or through the eye.
How can it be attained except through one
Who is established in this state himself?
-Katha Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1987.
***
Whatever is not yours, abandon it. When you have abandoned it, that will lead to your welfare and happinesss.
-Buddha, "Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
***
He who is given his share of kindness is given his share of good in this world and the hereafter.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by A'ishah bint Abi Bakr.
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999.
-
Guest
If one is honest in his business dealings and people esteem him, it is accounted to him as though he had fulfilled the whole Torah.
- Mekhilta, Vayessa, Chapter 1
***
You're like milk
in water: I cannot tell
what comes before,
what after,
which is the master,
which is the slave;
what's big,
what's small.
O lord white as jasmine
if an ant should love you
and praise you,
will he not grow
to demon powers?
-Mahadeviyakka
From "Teachings of the Hindu Mystics," © 2001 by Andrew Harvey
***
It is better to spend one day contemplating the birth and death of all things than a hundred years never contemplating beginnings and endings.
-Buddha
From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day", by William Wray, 2004.
***
Spiritual joy arises from purity of the heart and perseverance in prayer.
-St. Francis of Assisi
***
You will not be able to give anyone happiness by means of your wealth, so do it by means of a cheerful countenance and good humor.
-The Prophet Muhammad in Qushayri: al-Risalat al-Qushayriyya
From "The Wisdom of Sufism,
- Mekhilta, Vayessa, Chapter 1
***
You're like milk
in water: I cannot tell
what comes before,
what after,
which is the master,
which is the slave;
what's big,
what's small.
O lord white as jasmine
if an ant should love you
and praise you,
will he not grow
to demon powers?
-Mahadeviyakka
From "Teachings of the Hindu Mystics," © 2001 by Andrew Harvey
***
It is better to spend one day contemplating the birth and death of all things than a hundred years never contemplating beginnings and endings.
-Buddha
From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day", by William Wray, 2004.
***
Spiritual joy arises from purity of the heart and perseverance in prayer.
-St. Francis of Assisi
***
You will not be able to give anyone happiness by means of your wealth, so do it by means of a cheerful countenance and good humor.
-The Prophet Muhammad in Qushayri: al-Risalat al-Qushayriyya
From "The Wisdom of Sufism,
-
Guest
-
Guest
Creativity is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.
-Bob Moawad
***
How is one proved to be a true penitent? Said Rabbi Judah: If the opportunity to commit the same sin presents itself on two occasions, and he does not yield to it.
- Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 86b
***
Neither the sense of acting; nor actions, nor connections of cause and effect comes from the Lord of this world. These three arise from nature.
-Bhagavad Gita 5:14
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985.
***
It is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. It is as though He said, 'Learn to live in your will, not in your feelings.'
-Amy Carmichael
***
The eye of clarity is so called because it brings sight to everyone. It enables every single one to enter the uncreated and unconditioned reality, each in his own way.
-Prajnaparamita
From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000.
***
Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition. It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.
-Qur'an, Ibrahim, Surah 14:24-25
-Bob Moawad
***
How is one proved to be a true penitent? Said Rabbi Judah: If the opportunity to commit the same sin presents itself on two occasions, and he does not yield to it.
- Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 86b
***
Neither the sense of acting; nor actions, nor connections of cause and effect comes from the Lord of this world. These three arise from nature.
-Bhagavad Gita 5:14
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985.
***
It is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. It is as though He said, 'Learn to live in your will, not in your feelings.'
-Amy Carmichael
***
The eye of clarity is so called because it brings sight to everyone. It enables every single one to enter the uncreated and unconditioned reality, each in his own way.
-Prajnaparamita
From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000.
***
Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition. It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.
-Qur'an, Ibrahim, Surah 14:24-25
-
Guest
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.
-Carl Rogers
***
A Religion is as much a progressive unlearning of false ideas concerning God as it is the learning of the true ideas concerning God.
- Mordecai Kaplan
***
Amid accumulated millions a man remains poor
If he neither gives nor enjoys his wealth.
Vast wealth can be a wretched curse to one who neither
Gladdens himself in its worth nor gives to the worthy.
-Tirukkural 101:1005-1006
Excerpted from the Tirukkural, translated by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.
***
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
-Matthew 7:1-2
***
Like a fine stallion
Struck with a whip,
Be ardent & chastened.
Through conviction
Virtue, persistence,
Concentration, judgment,
Consummate in knowledge & conduct,
Mindful,
You'll abandon this not-insignificant pain.
-Dhammapada, 10, translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Indeed hunger is the king of medicines:
listen, take hunger to heart, don’t regard it with such contempt.
Everything unsweet is made sweet by hunger:
without hunger even delicacies have no savor.
-Mathnawi [V, 2832-2833]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996
***
-Carl Rogers
***
A Religion is as much a progressive unlearning of false ideas concerning God as it is the learning of the true ideas concerning God.
- Mordecai Kaplan
***
Amid accumulated millions a man remains poor
If he neither gives nor enjoys his wealth.
Vast wealth can be a wretched curse to one who neither
Gladdens himself in its worth nor gives to the worthy.
-Tirukkural 101:1005-1006
Excerpted from the Tirukkural, translated by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.
***
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
-Matthew 7:1-2
***
Like a fine stallion
Struck with a whip,
Be ardent & chastened.
Through conviction
Virtue, persistence,
Concentration, judgment,
Consummate in knowledge & conduct,
Mindful,
You'll abandon this not-insignificant pain.
-Dhammapada, 10, translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Indeed hunger is the king of medicines:
listen, take hunger to heart, don’t regard it with such contempt.
Everything unsweet is made sweet by hunger:
without hunger even delicacies have no savor.
-Mathnawi [V, 2832-2833]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996
***
-
Guest
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.
-Doug Larson
***
His revelation is continuous. New aspects of the Torah unfold constantly. The more we study it, the more it expands.
- Judah Arieh, "Sefat Emet"
***
When a man realizes
He is neither the doer nor the enjoyer,
The ripples of his mind are stilled.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:51
From "The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita," by Thomas Byrom, 1990
***
Hey you, expecting results without effort! So sensitive! So long-suffering! You, in the clutches of death, acting like an immortal! Hey sufferer, you are destroying yourself!
-Santideva, Bodhicaryavatara
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations,"
***
Allah exalted two kinds of people above others: those who spend in the cause of the Truth, and the judicious who impart their wisdom to others.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Nayeem bin Mas'ud
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
-Doug Larson
***
His revelation is continuous. New aspects of the Torah unfold constantly. The more we study it, the more it expands.
- Judah Arieh, "Sefat Emet"
***
When a man realizes
He is neither the doer nor the enjoyer,
The ripples of his mind are stilled.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:51
From "The Heart of Awareness: A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita," by Thomas Byrom, 1990
***
Hey you, expecting results without effort! So sensitive! So long-suffering! You, in the clutches of death, acting like an immortal! Hey sufferer, you are destroying yourself!
-Santideva, Bodhicaryavatara
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations,"
***
Allah exalted two kinds of people above others: those who spend in the cause of the Truth, and the judicious who impart their wisdom to others.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Nayeem bin Mas'ud
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
-
Guest
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
***
The sun gives light by day, the Torah by day and night.
- Asher b. Saul, Kol Bo
***
We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in the future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act.
-Swami Vivekananda
***
To stand on one leg and prove God's existence is a very different thing from going on one's knees and thanking Him.
-Søren Kierkegaard
***
By him who speaks only to help beings,
It was said that all beings
Have arisen from the conception of I
And are enveloped with the conception of mine.
-Nagarjuna, "Precious Garland"
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt
***
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
***
The sun gives light by day, the Torah by day and night.
- Asher b. Saul, Kol Bo
***
We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in the future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act.
-Swami Vivekananda
***
To stand on one leg and prove God's existence is a very different thing from going on one's knees and thanking Him.
-Søren Kierkegaard
***
By him who speaks only to help beings,
It was said that all beings
Have arisen from the conception of I
And are enveloped with the conception of mine.
-Nagarjuna, "Precious Garland"
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations," edited by Jeff Schmidt
***
-
Guest
A Jew can be Jewish with God, against God, but not without God.
- Elie Wiesel
***
Said the sage Sanatkumara to Narada:
"Where one realizes the indivisible unity
of life, sees nothing else, hears nothing else,
knows nothing else, that is the Infinite. Where
one sees separateness, hears separateness,
knows searateness, that is the finite. The
Infinite is beyond death, but the finite
cannot escape death."
-Chandogya Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran
***
Turn yourself around like a piece of clay and say to the Lord: I am clay, and you Lord, the potter. Make of me what you will.
-St. John of Avila
***
To learn the path it is important to be sharp yet inconspicuous. When you are sharp, you are not confused by people; when you are inconspicuous, you don’t contend with people. Not being confused by people, you are empty and spiritual; not contending with people, you are serene and subtle.
-Liao-an
From "Teachings of Zen", edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998.
***
There is no dervish in the world;
and if there be a dervish, that dervish is really non-existent.
In essence he exists,
but his attributes are non-existent within God's.
-Mathnawi [III, 3669-3670]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996
***
- Elie Wiesel
***
Said the sage Sanatkumara to Narada:
"Where one realizes the indivisible unity
of life, sees nothing else, hears nothing else,
knows nothing else, that is the Infinite. Where
one sees separateness, hears separateness,
knows searateness, that is the finite. The
Infinite is beyond death, but the finite
cannot escape death."
-Chandogya Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran
***
Turn yourself around like a piece of clay and say to the Lord: I am clay, and you Lord, the potter. Make of me what you will.
-St. John of Avila
***
To learn the path it is important to be sharp yet inconspicuous. When you are sharp, you are not confused by people; when you are inconspicuous, you don’t contend with people. Not being confused by people, you are empty and spiritual; not contending with people, you are serene and subtle.
-Liao-an
From "Teachings of Zen", edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998.
***
There is no dervish in the world;
and if there be a dervish, that dervish is really non-existent.
In essence he exists,
but his attributes are non-existent within God's.
-Mathnawi [III, 3669-3670]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996
***
-
Guest
We want to worship a living God. I have not seen anything but God all my life, nor have you. To see this chair you first see God, and then the chair in and through Him. He is everywhere, saying, "I am." The moment you feel "I am," you are conscious of Existence. Where shall we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being?
-Vivekananda
From "Teachings of the Hindu Mystics," © 2001 by Andrew Harvey.
***
A satisfying prayer life elevates and purifies every act of body and mind and integrates the entire personality into a single spiritual unit. In the long pull we pray only as well as we live.
-A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
***
Do not underestimate your ability.
-Geshe Chekawa, in Advice From a Spiritual Friend
***
The Prophet once drew a line and said, "This is the path of faith." Then he drew several lines on either side and said, "On these lines you may encounter the devil. But this path of mine is the straight path. So follow it."
-Reported by Abd'Allah bin Mas'ud
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999
***
-Vivekananda
From "Teachings of the Hindu Mystics," © 2001 by Andrew Harvey.
***
A satisfying prayer life elevates and purifies every act of body and mind and integrates the entire personality into a single spiritual unit. In the long pull we pray only as well as we live.
-A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
***
Do not underestimate your ability.
-Geshe Chekawa, in Advice From a Spiritual Friend
***
The Prophet once drew a line and said, "This is the path of faith." Then he drew several lines on either side and said, "On these lines you may encounter the devil. But this path of mine is the straight path. So follow it."
-Reported by Abd'Allah bin Mas'ud
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999
***
-
Guest
Life is too complicated not to be orderly.
-Martha Stewart
***
But truly great souls seek my divine nature. They worship me with a one-pointed mind, having realized that I am the eternal source of all. Constantly striving, they make firm their resolve and worship me without wavering. Full of devotion, they sing my divine glory.
-Bhagavad Gita 9:13-14
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985.
***
Men try to fix problems with duct tape. God did it with nails.
-Anonymous
***
When a man knows the solitude of silence, and feels the joy of quietness, he is then free from fear and he feels the joy of the dharma.
-Buddha
From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day", by William Wray, 2004.
-Martha Stewart
***
But truly great souls seek my divine nature. They worship me with a one-pointed mind, having realized that I am the eternal source of all. Constantly striving, they make firm their resolve and worship me without wavering. Full of devotion, they sing my divine glory.
-Bhagavad Gita 9:13-14
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985.
***
Men try to fix problems with duct tape. God did it with nails.
-Anonymous
***
When a man knows the solitude of silence, and feels the joy of quietness, he is then free from fear and he feels the joy of the dharma.
-Buddha
From "Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day", by William Wray, 2004.
-
Guest
Days are scrolls: write on them what you want to be remembered.
- Bahya ibn Pakuda, "Hovot HaLevavot"
***
Among the profuse precious things a man may acquire,
None surpasses a nature free from envy toward all.
-Tirukkural 162
Excerpted from the Tirukkural, translated by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.
***
An attitude of gratitude creates blessings.
-Sir John Templeton
***
The one who practices loving-kindness sleeps and wakes in comfort and has no bad dreams; he is dear to both humans and creatures; no danger harms him. His mind can be quickly concentrated, his expression is happy and serene. He dies without any confusion of mind. Loving-kindness protects him.
-Anguttara Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000
***
Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.
-Qur'an, Light, Surah 24:41
- Bahya ibn Pakuda, "Hovot HaLevavot"
***
Among the profuse precious things a man may acquire,
None surpasses a nature free from envy toward all.
-Tirukkural 162
Excerpted from the Tirukkural, translated by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.
***
An attitude of gratitude creates blessings.
-Sir John Templeton
***
The one who practices loving-kindness sleeps and wakes in comfort and has no bad dreams; he is dear to both humans and creatures; no danger harms him. His mind can be quickly concentrated, his expression is happy and serene. He dies without any confusion of mind. Loving-kindness protects him.
-Anguttara Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000
***
Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.
-Qur'an, Light, Surah 24:41
-
Guest
Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow".
-Anonymous
***
Neither nakedness nor matted hair
nor mud nor the refusal of food
nor sleeping on the bare ground
nor dust & dirt nor squatting austerities
cleanses the mortal
who's not gone beyond doubt.
If, though adorned, one lives in tune
with the chaste life
--calmed, tamed & assured--
having put down the rod toward all beings,
he's a contemplative
a brahmin
a monk.
-Dhammapada, 10, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death.
-John 8:51
***
That which God said to the rose,
and caused it to laugh in full-blown beauty,
He said to my heart,
and made it a hundred times more beautiful.
-Mathnawi [III, 4129]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996.
***
Man’s heart away from nature becomes hard.
-Standing Bear
-Anonymous
***
Neither nakedness nor matted hair
nor mud nor the refusal of food
nor sleeping on the bare ground
nor dust & dirt nor squatting austerities
cleanses the mortal
who's not gone beyond doubt.
If, though adorned, one lives in tune
with the chaste life
--calmed, tamed & assured--
having put down the rod toward all beings,
he's a contemplative
a brahmin
a monk.
-Dhammapada, 10, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death.
-John 8:51
***
That which God said to the rose,
and caused it to laugh in full-blown beauty,
He said to my heart,
and made it a hundred times more beautiful.
-Mathnawi [III, 4129]
From "Jewels of Remembrance," by Rumi, selected and translated by Camille and Kabir Helminski, © 1996.
***
Man’s heart away from nature becomes hard.
-Standing Bear
-
Guest
No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you.
-Althea Gibson
***
We see in the risen Christ the end for which man was made, and the assurance that the end is within our reach.
-Brooke Foss Westcott
***
The living eye of Zen sees clearly through the heavens: the livelihood of the six senses takes place everywhere, without borrowing the form or appearance of another.
-Tzu-te
From "Teachings of Zen," edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998.
***
-Althea Gibson
***
We see in the risen Christ the end for which man was made, and the assurance that the end is within our reach.
-Brooke Foss Westcott
***
The living eye of Zen sees clearly through the heavens: the livelihood of the six senses takes place everywhere, without borrowing the form or appearance of another.
-Tzu-te
From "Teachings of Zen," edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998.
***
-
Guest
Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.
-Charles Spurgeon
***
Judge not your neighbor till you've been in his place.
- Hillel, Mishna: Abot
***
The world is the wheel of God, turning round
And round with all living creatures upon its rim.
The world is the river of God,
Flowing from him and flowing back to him.
-Shvetashvatara Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1987.
***
If we make a quietness within ourselves, if we silence all desire and opinions and if with love, without formulating any words, we bind our whole soul to think "Thy will be done," the thing which after that we feel sure we should do…is the will of God.
-Simone Weil
***
Now there is cure in coolness and calm, but in heat and passion there can be no cure.
-Milindapanha
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations,"
***
-Charles Spurgeon
***
Judge not your neighbor till you've been in his place.
- Hillel, Mishna: Abot
***
The world is the wheel of God, turning round
And round with all living creatures upon its rim.
The world is the river of God,
Flowing from him and flowing back to him.
-Shvetashvatara Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1987.
***
If we make a quietness within ourselves, if we silence all desire and opinions and if with love, without formulating any words, we bind our whole soul to think "Thy will be done," the thing which after that we feel sure we should do…is the will of God.
-Simone Weil
***
Now there is cure in coolness and calm, but in heat and passion there can be no cure.
-Milindapanha
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations,"
***
-
Guest
The body will be turned by the power of the spiritual consciousness into a true and fit and perfectly responsive instrument of the Spirit.
-Sri Aurobindo
From "Teachings of the Hindu Mystics," © 2001 by Andrew Harvey
***
If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be: if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all.
-C.S. Lewis
***
If you are confused, there are a thousand differentiations, ten thousand distinctions. If you are enlightened, everything is the same one family.
-Wu-chien
From "Teachings of Zen", edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998
***
Come against your will is the toggle of the intelligent;
come willingly is the spring-time
of those who have lost their hearts.
-Mathnawi [III, 4472]
From the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952
***
-Sri Aurobindo
From "Teachings of the Hindu Mystics," © 2001 by Andrew Harvey
***
If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be: if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all.
-C.S. Lewis
***
If you are confused, there are a thousand differentiations, ten thousand distinctions. If you are enlightened, everything is the same one family.
-Wu-chien
From "Teachings of Zen", edited by Thomas Cleary, © 1998
***
Come against your will is the toggle of the intelligent;
come willingly is the spring-time
of those who have lost their hearts.
-Mathnawi [III, 4472]
From the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952
***
-
Guest
Gossip kills three: the speaker, the spoken of, and the listener.
- Samuel b. Nahman, Numbers Rabbah
***
At the beginning, mankind and the obligation of selfless service were created together. "Through selfless service, you will always be fruitful and find the fulfillment of your desires": this is the promise of the Creator.
-Bhagavad Gita 3:10
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985
***
Worship is the intentional attitudes and actions of focusing on God...It grows out of the foundational motive of deep and wonder-based gratitude to God for His salvaging and sustaining us.
-Byron Spradlin
***
Let us not talk of karma, but simply of responsibility toward the whole world.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Imagine All the People"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations
***
Once a harlot came upon a dog dying of thirst. Without a second thought she took off her leather sock, tied it to her veil, got water from a well nearby, and saved the animal's life. For that one act of kindness she was absolved of all her ill deeds. Indeed every deed of kindness toward living beings shall be rewarded.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Hurairah
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999
- Samuel b. Nahman, Numbers Rabbah
***
At the beginning, mankind and the obligation of selfless service were created together. "Through selfless service, you will always be fruitful and find the fulfillment of your desires": this is the promise of the Creator.
-Bhagavad Gita 3:10
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985
***
Worship is the intentional attitudes and actions of focusing on God...It grows out of the foundational motive of deep and wonder-based gratitude to God for His salvaging and sustaining us.
-Byron Spradlin
***
Let us not talk of karma, but simply of responsibility toward the whole world.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Imagine All the People"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations
***
Once a harlot came upon a dog dying of thirst. Without a second thought she took off her leather sock, tied it to her veil, got water from a well nearby, and saved the animal's life. For that one act of kindness she was absolved of all her ill deeds. Indeed every deed of kindness toward living beings shall be rewarded.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Hurairah
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999
-
Guest
People's good deeds are used by the Eternal as seeds for planting trees in the Garden of Eden: thus, each of us creates our own Paradise.
- The Mezeritzer Rebbe
***
As a man's shadow follows his footsteps wherever he goes,
Even so will destruction pursue those who commit sinful deeds.
-Tirukkural 21: 208
Excerpted from the Tirukkural,
***
Jesus Christ is a God whom we approach without pride, and before whom we humble ourselves without despair.
-Blaise Pascal, Pensées
***
As rain penetrates an improperly shingled roof, so passion overwhelms a confused mind.
-Buddha
From "Sayings of the Buddha:
***
"Should I tether my camel or trust in God alone?" a man asked the Prophet. "First tether your camel, then trust in God," the Prophet replied.
-Qushayri, "al-Risalat al-Qushayriyya"
From "The Wisdom of Sufism," compiled by Leonard Lewisohn
***
- The Mezeritzer Rebbe
***
As a man's shadow follows his footsteps wherever he goes,
Even so will destruction pursue those who commit sinful deeds.
-Tirukkural 21: 208
Excerpted from the Tirukkural,
***
Jesus Christ is a God whom we approach without pride, and before whom we humble ourselves without despair.
-Blaise Pascal, Pensées
***
As rain penetrates an improperly shingled roof, so passion overwhelms a confused mind.
-Buddha
From "Sayings of the Buddha:
***
"Should I tether my camel or trust in God alone?" a man asked the Prophet. "First tether your camel, then trust in God," the Prophet replied.
-Qushayri, "al-Risalat al-Qushayriyya"
From "The Wisdom of Sufism," compiled by Leonard Lewisohn
***
-
Guest
The Seder nights...tie me with the centuries before me.
- Ludwig Frank
***
For the Self is everything.
When the seeker knows this,
He falls silent.
He no longer thinks,
"I am this, I am not that."
Such thoughts melt away.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:9
***
Suppose a goldsmith takes his tongs and puts some gold into the furnace to melt it. If he blows on the heat too much, it will get too hot, but if he sprinkles too much water, it will cool down. If he constantly takes it out and looks at it, it will not reach refinement. But if he does all these things from time to time, aware of the nature of gold, it will become easily molded and bright.
In the same way, there are three qualities that a practitioner should pay attention to--concentration, determination, and equanimity. If he pays the right attention to these at the right time, then his mind will become like gold, pliant and brilliant and pure.
-Anguttara Nikaya
***
So eat of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good; and be grateful for the favors of Allah, if it is He Whom ye serve.
-Qur'an, The Bee, Surah 16:114
***
- Ludwig Frank
***
For the Self is everything.
When the seeker knows this,
He falls silent.
He no longer thinks,
"I am this, I am not that."
Such thoughts melt away.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:9
***
Suppose a goldsmith takes his tongs and puts some gold into the furnace to melt it. If he blows on the heat too much, it will get too hot, but if he sprinkles too much water, it will cool down. If he constantly takes it out and looks at it, it will not reach refinement. But if he does all these things from time to time, aware of the nature of gold, it will become easily molded and bright.
In the same way, there are three qualities that a practitioner should pay attention to--concentration, determination, and equanimity. If he pays the right attention to these at the right time, then his mind will become like gold, pliant and brilliant and pure.
-Anguttara Nikaya
***
So eat of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good; and be grateful for the favors of Allah, if it is He Whom ye serve.
-Qur'an, The Bee, Surah 16:114
***
-
Guest
Help thy brother's boat across and thine own has reached the shore.
-Hindu Proverb
***
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
-John 15:18-19 (Revised Standard Version)
***
In one who
has gone the full distance,
is free from sorrow,
is fully released
in all respects,
has abandoned all bonds:
no fever is found.
The mindful keep active,
don’t delight in settling back.
They renounce every home,
every home,
like swans taking off from a lake.
-Dhammapada, 7, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
In form you are the microcosm;
in reality you are the macrocosm.
-Mathnawi [IV, 521]
***
Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.
-Soren Kierkegaard
-Hindu Proverb
***
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
-John 15:18-19 (Revised Standard Version)
***
In one who
has gone the full distance,
is free from sorrow,
is fully released
in all respects,
has abandoned all bonds:
no fever is found.
The mindful keep active,
don’t delight in settling back.
They renounce every home,
every home,
like swans taking off from a lake.
-Dhammapada, 7, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
In form you are the microcosm;
in reality you are the macrocosm.
-Mathnawi [IV, 521]
***
Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.
-Soren Kierkegaard
-
Guest
He who laughs, lasts.
-Mary Poole
***
There is only one way to know the Self,
And that is to realize him yourself.
The ignorant think the Self can be known
By the intellect, but the illumined
Know he is beyond the duality
Of the knower and the known.
-Kena Upanishad
***
And Joy is Everywhere;
It is in the Earth's green covering of grass;
In the blue serenity of the Sky;
In the reckless exuberance of Spring;
In the severe abstinence of gray Winter;
In the Living flesh that animates our bodily frame;
In the perfect poise of the Human figure, noble
and upright; In Living;
In the exercise of all our powers;
In the acquisition of Knowledge; in fighting evils...
Joy is there Everywhere.
by Rabindranath Tagore
-Mary Poole
***
There is only one way to know the Self,
And that is to realize him yourself.
The ignorant think the Self can be known
By the intellect, but the illumined
Know he is beyond the duality
Of the knower and the known.
-Kena Upanishad
***
And Joy is Everywhere;
It is in the Earth's green covering of grass;
In the blue serenity of the Sky;
In the reckless exuberance of Spring;
In the severe abstinence of gray Winter;
In the Living flesh that animates our bodily frame;
In the perfect poise of the Human figure, noble
and upright; In Living;
In the exercise of all our powers;
In the acquisition of Knowledge; in fighting evils...
Joy is there Everywhere.
by Rabindranath Tagore